affordable health care?

Stethoscope

Stethoscope

Reflex Hammer

Ophthalmoscope

Otoscope

Heart Doctor

Lung Doctor

Neurologist

Eye Doctor

Ear Doctor

Did the patient really need 5 referrals for a "complete" check-up? One Doctor, a trained Generalist could do the job--including the more intimate examinations.

So Why So Many Referrals?

The main reason is because the title Primary Care Physician (PCP) is all inclusive and misapplied. It has been defined by some as the “as the first medical contact with new patients, individuals first entering the Health Care (HC) System. As a result the category of PCPs includes:

            The Dermatologist (doesn’t check eyes )

            The Internist (refers intimate exams to gynecologists, proctologists)

            The Gynecologist (Refers skin conditions to dermatologists)

            ETCETERA 

            The good Generalist (aka Primary Care) mange these problems—and then some!       

           An oft heard comment about Family Doctors and/or PCPs is “All s/he does is write prescriptions and refer me”.  When patient care is so fragmented who is in charge?   

Why did Primary Care Decline? 

The threat of mal-practice litigation! Actually the PCP should be an accomplished Generalist, a Doctor competent in the office practice and simple procedures of Specialty Care. But in the present environment that would be like driving with an insurance card but without a license. 

Is There a Remedy? 

Yes! To create uniform Primary Care Medicine through Primary Care Centers of America staffed by doctors trained in Primary Care Medicine and protected by the FTC (Federal Tort Claims Act 

 The doctors must be trained Generalists competent in many of the office procedures of the specialties as well as procedural medicine (minor surgery, remove ear wax, suture lacerations).  They will be responsible for the management of the care of their patients. 

Isn’t That Socialized Medicine?

What a question! You must be kidding!

Call it whatever you want! 

Most Americans receive medical Care through government auspices:

                        Medicare

                        Medicaid (Federal and State for medically indigent)

                        Veterans

                        Indian Health Services

                        Individually Covered Groups

                                 Dialysis

                                 Addiction Services

                                 HIV sufferers        .

Benefits of Homogeneous General Medicine 

Summary in Brief 

A coordinated system of robust Primary (General Medicine) Care Centers will include these benefis: 

1.     Assure that General Medical Care will be practiced uniformly throughout the United States

2.     Quality of medical care will be improved

3.     General Medical Care will be available to everybody in the country at rates ranging from Zero to Affordable

4.     General Medical Care Centers will help coordinate National response to disasters plagues and terror.

5.     Decongest Emergency Rooms

6.     Save Money

7.     Lower Health Care Costs for:

a.     Individuals

b.     Families

c.     Enterprise

8.    Boost employment

www.civilwrites.com; www.the-public-option.com;  www.primary-care-medicine.net